USA > New York > Genesee County > History of the Genesee country (western New York) comprising the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates, Volume III > Part 25
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The following is an excerpt from a review of the career of Mr. Brewster which appeared in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle under date of November 2, 1910: "In the death yesterday morning of Harry Langdon Brewster, Rochester lost a prom- inent citizen who for the larger part of his life contributed much toward its commercial
Gary Langdon Brawisten
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progress. Early in his business career Mr. Brewster became a friend and as- scciate of Thomas A. Edison, who interested him in the then new discovery of electric lighting by means of the incandescent globe. The first of these globes scen in Roches- ter were brought here by Mr. Brewster. He organized and directed to success the Edi- son Electric Light Company, the first company of its kind in Rochester. Because of his executive ability and integrity he was made a director and also was elected secretary and manager of the Edison Company, the affairs of which he controlled until it was merged in the present railway and light interests. Another important electric enterprise with which he was active was the Niagara Falls Gas and Electric Company. He was its president for eight years, disposing of his interests in it in 1903. For several years he had been interested in the Federal Telephone and Telegraph Company of Buffalo, of which he was a director. Among the Rochester enterprises that engaged his attention for many years are the Vogt Manufacturing Company, the Judson Governor Company, the Judson Pin Company and the Judson Power Company."
The Rochester Times-Union and Advertiser printed the following tribute: "To Mr. Brewster Rochester owes the honor of first introducing electric lights, for it was he who first brought the magic little glass bulbs to the Flower City which later lighted its streets and buildings. He was a friend of Thomas A. Edison and had the enthusiasm of that wizard in electricity. The early success of electricity and the Edison Company in Rochester was due in a very large measure to his splendid executive ability and reputation for unswerving integrity. In the business world his word was his bond. He became identified with several important commercial projects which have helped in a large way to make Rochester prosperous and known to many quarters of the globe, and his excellent judgment, wide business experience and square business methods contributed much to their success."
In early manhood Mr. Brewster was united in marriage to Miss Harriet J. Jud- son, a daughter of the late Junius Judson. Their only daughter is Miss Gwendolin Judson Brewster. In addition to his beautiful home in Rochester he maintained a country residence in North Carolina. He was a consistent member of the First Baptist church for many years and he also belonged to the Genesee Valley Club, to the Rochester Country Club and to the Republican Club of New York city. His busi- ness methods were characterized by the progressive spirit of the age and his integrity was at all times above question. He had unusual vision as to the future possibilities of Rochester. He extracted from life the real essence of living and the sterling traits of his character won for him the high and enduring regard of all with whom he was associated.
WILLIAM H. BEERS.
William H. Beers, who came to Rochester as resident manager of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey, in 1913, has since embarked in the insurance business on his own account, under the name of the William H. Beers Company. He has also gained renown as a lecturer on salesmanship and on religious subjects and he enjoys an enviable reputation as one of Rochester's most popular and highly respected young citizens. He was born in Newfane, Niagara county, New York, on the 6th of March, 1882, his parents being William H. and Edna C. (Mason) Beers, who have been lifelong residents of Niagara county. During his active business career the father engaged in farming and also conducted a large general store. Mr. and Mrs. William H. Beers, Sr., are the parents of five children: Charles W. and John F., both of whom are residents of Newfane, New York; Roy L., living in Detroit, Michigan; Mrs. Bert S. Pettit; and William H., of this review.
William H. Beers obtained his early education in the Niagara grade school and continued his studies in the Lockport high school to the time of his graduation from the commercial department in 1902. After two years of experience as proprietor of a general merchandise store he secured employment in the National Exchange Bank of Lockport, with which institution he continued for five years, rising from the posi- tion of messenger to one of responsibility. Since severing his relations with the bank he has been identified with the insurance business, first becoming connected with the Buffalo branch of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey, which he there represented quite successfully for three years. It was in 1913 that he came to Rochester as manager of the office and business of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company in this city. Here he won for himself a splendid reputation, leading all other salesmen in the state in life insurance sales for seven years. In fact,
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his personal following and his business interests grew to such an extent that in 1923, after ten years as manager of the company's Rochester office, he was obliged to give up the position and continue in the insurance field independently. He specializes in life insurance estates and devotes considerable attention to the management of estates and to inheritance tax work. Mr. Beers has studied the subject of insurance in all of its phases and is the author of the Beers Book, a helpful arrangement of literature for Mutual Benefit men, which he has written and published annually for a period of eight years.
Moreover, Mr. Beers is a man of marked speaking ability, who is in popular de- mand as a lecturer on salesmanship. He has addressed audiences scores of times in Buffalo, and on fifteen different occasions in Detroit, and no less than ten times in Cincinnati, as well as on various occasions in Chicago, New York, Cleveland, Boston, Baltimore and other cities, and has always been enthusiastically received. Mr. Beers is greatly interested in religious education, being general superintendent of the well known Lake Avenue Baptist Church Sunday school, while he was president of the New York State Sunday School Association for the year 1924.
On the 10th of March, 1903, Mr. Beers was united in marriage to Miss May A. Corwin, daughter of Phineas H. and Amanda C. Corwin of Newfane, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Beers are the parents of four children: Leighton A., who was born in Newfane, New York, on the 15th of March, 1904, is a graduate of the Rochester high school and is now a member of the class of 1926 in Colgate Academy; Howard C., who was born. in Lockport, New York, on October 9, 1906, was graduated from Cook Academy as a member of the class of 1924 and is now attending Colgate University as a member of the class of 1928; William Winton, who was born in Buffalo on February 24, 1913, is attending grade school No. 28; and John Mason, the youngest of the family, was born in Rochester on the 10th of September, 1923.
Mr. Beers was for several years a member of the faculty of the School of Life Insurance Salesmanship, a department of Carnegie Institute. He is a member of the board of trustees of Cook Academy and superintendent of the Bible school of the Lake Avenue Baptist church, of which he is also one of the deacons. Appreciative of the social amenities of life, and his due consideration thereof constitutes the even balance to his tireless energy, he is a member of the Oak Hill Golf Club, the Auto- mobile Club of Rochester, the Optimist Club of Rochester and the Tuscarora Club of Lockport. He was one of the organizers and is an ex-president of the Optimist Club. His name is also on the membership rolls of the Rochester Ad Club, the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the Business Men's Club of the Young Men's Christian Association. The interests of his life are broad and varied and his record is that of a man of high ideals whose personal worth is recognized by an extensive acquaintance- ship, for throughout his life he has stood for those things which have real value as constructive elements in the world's work. Mr. Beers is accorded a high position among Rochester's best citizenship. His residence is at No. 219 Dorchester road.
JOHN BIGELOW HOWE.
John Bigelow Howe occupies a prominent position in mercantile circles of Roches- ter as vice president of the Howe & Rogers Company, wholesale and retail dealers in floor coverings, furniture, draperies and interior decorations, which concern has been in existence for more than two-thirds of a century. His birth occurred in Rochester, New York, on the 14th of November, 1867, his parents being John Hubbard and Eliza Augusta (Bigelow) Howe, the former a native of Leicester, Massachusetts, and the latter of Worcester, that state. John Hubbard Howe was born May 29, 1830, and was a son of Samuel Hubbard and Elizabeth (Moore) Howe, the former of whom died in 1881. It was in 1856, when a young man of twenty-six years, that he came to Rochester and the following year, in association with Clinton Rogers, he opened a small store on the second floor of a building on the west side of State street, near the Four Corners, for the sale of carpets, oilcloth, mattings, etc. In 1892 the business was incorporated as the Howe & Rogers Company, with John H. Howe as president. Throughout the years it has been a leading mercantile interest of Rochester, growing with the development of the city, its business conducted along modern lines of com-
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mercial enterprise. John H. Howe remained at the head of the establishment until his death, which occurred on September 16, 1903, when he was seventy-three years of age, the city of Rochester thus sustaining the loss of one of its representative business men and highly-esteemed citizens. On the 16th of June, 1857, he had wedded Eliza Augusta Bigelow, who died in 1887, when fifty-seven years of age. Their family numbered seven children, as follows: Henry Bigelow, who was treasurer of the Howe & Rogers Company and who died in 1894; Lizzie Sophia, the wife of Lewis Bigelow; Clinton Rogers; Florence Maria; Andrew Jackson; John Bigelow of this review; and Mary Eliza, who is the wife of Harry B. Chase and resides at Riverside, California. In 1891 John H. Howe was married to Eva Loomis, by whom he had a daughter, Eva Loomis Howe, who makes her home in Rochester. John H. Howe always took great pride in the growth and development of the city of his adoption. He was a leading member of the Unitarian church, an earnest worker in many of its endeavors and took great interest in the progressive advancement of the activities connected with the church life.
John Bigelow Howe, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in public school No. 12, the Rochester Free Academy and the University of Rochester, graduating from the last named institution with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1889. On completing his collegiate course he entered business life as a nurseryman and continued to operate in this field from 1890 to 1903, under the name of the Co- lumbia Nursery. About the time of the death of his father in the latter year he sold out his business and entered the firm of Howe & Rogers Company, becoming vice president of the company. His well-directed efforts have since constituted an im- portant element in the continued growth and success of the enterprise, which is now one of extensive and profitable proportions.
Mr. Howe is a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity, the Rochester University Alumni Association and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He likewise belongs to the Genesee Valley Club, the Rochester Club, the University Club, the Rochester Country Club, the Rochester Historical Society, the Sons of the American Revolution, of which he is treasurer, the Rochester Academy of Science, Rochester Chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America, the Sons of Colonial Wars and the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Unitarian church. He has remained in the city of his nativity from his birth to the present time and his reputation in both business and social circles is a most en- viable one.
WILFORD T. PURCHASE.
The strong light of publicity beats upon the office of the district attorney and the successful prosecution of a cause celèbre will make its incumbent famous from one seaboard to another. For the past six years Wilford T. Purchase has ably discharged the duties of district attorney for Wayne county and his course has won the approval of all good citizens, for he has a high conception of the responsibilities of his office and his integrity has never been open to question. He is a member of one of the old families of the Genesee country and was born in Newark, New York, May 2, 1875, a son of Leman H. and Mary (Ridley) Purchase, both natives of Phelps, in which village their marriage occurred. The grandfather, Robert Purchase, settled at Phelps in 1798 and there built a home, in which he passed away in 1863, at the remarkable age of one hundred and three years. He was a loyal, patriotic American and served in the Revolutionary war and also in the War of 1812. He was a son of Thomas Purchase, who was born near New Bedford, Massachusetts, and died in 1802, at the venerable age of ninety-eight years. His grandson, Leman H. Purchase, was a manu- facturer of malt and was numbered among the honored veterans of the Civil war. He served as a non-commissioned officer of Company E, One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment of New York State Volunteers, and spent thirteen months in a Confederate prison. He is survived by the mother, who is also a member of one of the pioneer families of Phelps. She was born October 12, 1849, and has reached the age of seventy-four years. Wilford T., of this review, was their only child.
Wilford T. Purchase completed a course in the Newark high school and then entered Union College, from which he was graduated in 1899, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He read law in the office of the firm of S. K. & B. C. Williams, well known attorneys of Newark, and was admitted to the bar in 1901. He opened an office in Newark, devoting his attention to the practice of civil law, and recognition of his legal ability led to his election to the office of district attorney on the 1st of
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January, 1918. He has since served in that capacity and his present term expires January 1, 1925. His knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence is comprehensive and exact and in trial he is ready and resourceful. His logic carries conviction to the minds of court and jury, and in the case of the people of the state against Howard Baker he obtained the only verdict of murder in the first degree rendered in Wayne county in sixty years-a notable record and one which redounds greatly to his credit. He has also filled other public positions of honor and trust, serving as election com- missioner of Wayne county, for a number of years as police justice of Newark, and for four years was village clerk.
On July 29, 1908, Mr. Purchase was married to Miss Mary A. Nicholoy, a daughter of William H. Nicholoy, a native of Newark. Mr. and Mrs. Purchase have a son, Robert, who was born October 23, 1913. Mr. Purchase is a member of the Wayne County and New York State Bar Associations and during the World war was chair- man of the legal advisory board for one-half of Wayne county. He belongs to the Delta Phi fraternity and is a Presbyterian in religious faith. He is a Mason and a past Noble Grand of Newark Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He holds to high standards in professional service and the reputation that comes from the performance of duty well done is his just reward.
STEPHEN L. WILSON.
Prominent in the undertaking profession of Elmira is Stephen L. Wilson, who entered the business in Elmira ten years ago with a capital of one thousand dollars and is now the owner of property valued at fifty thousand dollars, which progress has resulted from untiring industry and close study of his work. He was born in Millerton, Pennsylvania, in 1873, and his parents, William and Sally (Parmenter) Wilson, were also natives of the Keystone state. The father was a lumberman and his life was guided by the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was an honored veteran of the Civil war, in which he served as a member of Company F, First New York Light Artillery. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had two sons: Stephen L., of this review; and Norman, who acts as foreman for the American La France Fire Engine Company of Elmira.
The father died during the early childhood of Stephen L. Wilson, who attended the Soldiers' Orphans School in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, and his first position was in a flouring mill. Subsequently he became a street railway employe, devoting eighteen years to work of that character, and while thus engaged he took up the study of embalming. Having mastered the science, he embarked in business, opening an undertaking establishment on South Main street in Elmira in 1914. He was the first mortician in the city to install motor equipment, purchasing an ambulance, hearse and pallbearers' coach, which has been further augmented by the purchase of the first Cunningham limousine hearse in Elmira. He has initiative, tact and executive force and has chosen a field of activity well suited to his ability.
On June 3, 1903, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Frances Lillian Phillips, who was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania. Their only child, J. Carleton, died at the age of four and a half years. They have an adopted daughter: Betty Lorraine, now seven years of age. They are members of the Cemetery Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Wilson is a stanch adherent of the prohibition party. He belongs to the Union Lodge of Masons, to the chapter, council, commandery, consistory, and is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, the Eastern Star, with which his wife is likewise identified, and the Odd Fellows. Mr. Wilson is a member of the National Selected Morticians, being the only member in Elmira.
REDFIELD TOMLINSON.
Redfield Tomlinson, president of the Rochester Refrigerating Company, was born in Batavia, New York, March 8, 1885, and represents an honored pioneer family of that section of the state, to which his paternal grandfather journeyed with ox team and wagon in the early days. His parents, Daniel Webb and Una (Redfield) Tom- linson, were also natives of Batavia and the father was numbered among its foremost citizens, serving as mayor of the city, while he also filled other public offices of trust and responsibility. Daniel Webb Tomlinson was president of the Bank of Batavia and
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filled that office until death terminated his labors. He passed away in 1917. His widow is still a resident of Batavia.
Redfield Tomlinson received his early education in the grammar and high schools of Batavia and continued his studies in Union College, in which he was a member of the class of 1908. He came to Rochester in 1909, when a young man of twenty- four years, taking a position with a warehouse company and gaining valuable training in the business which he has made his life work. As his experience increased he was promoted to positions of greater responsibility and is now acting as receiver for the Pritchard Storage & Warehouse Company, in addition to serving as the executive head of the Rochester Refrigerating Company, both of which benefit by his good judgment and his comprehensive grasp of the business. Mr. Tomlinson is extensively interested in the Bank of Batavia, one of the strong financial institutions of Genesee county.
In Schenectady, New York, on July 14, 1909, Mr. Tomlinson was married to Miss Florence Schermerhorn, a daughter of Simon Schermerhorn. Mr. and Mrs. Tomlin- son have two daughters: Virginia and Constance, both born in Rochester. Mr. Tom- linson is affiliated with the Third Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the Automobile Club of this city, while frater- nally he is identified with the Masonic order. He is numbered among Rochester's able business men, and his life record is one in which notable business ability and the recognition and utilization of opportunity are well balanced forces. His residence is at No. 50 Meigs street.
FRANK EDWIN SMITH.
Frank Edwin Smith, president of the Blackstone Motor Company of Elmira, was born in Bennington, Vermont, in 1873, a son of Edwin and Lurana (Morse) Smith, the former a native of Glens Falls, New York, and the latter of Shaftsbury, Vermont. They were married in the Green Mountain state and for a number of years the father followed the occupation of farming. He was also employed in the Lyons Clay Works for some time but is now living retired in Vermont, having reached the age of seventy- seven years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a democrat in his political views. The mother passed away in 1924, when seventy-four years of age. They had a family of six children, two of whom survive: Fred, who is con- nected with the Cushman Novelty Works at North Bennington, Vermont; and Frank Edwin.
Frank Edwin Smith received his education in his native state and his first business experience was gained in the Eagle Square Works, where he spent one summer. He was next in the employ of the Walbridge Terrescope Company, with which he re- mained for two years, and for a short time was with the White Company. After severing his relationship with that firm Mr. Smith entered the service of the Campbell Knitting Company, with which he was identified for twenty-two years, and during a large portion of that period acted as foreman of the finishing department. In 1900 he came to Elmira with the company, with which he continued until 1916, and has since been president and manager of the Blackstone Motor Company. They sell the Maxwell, Chalmers and Chrysler cars and have three establishments, situated in Elmira and Binghamton, New York, and Williamsport, Pennsylvania, operating a large service station in connection with each one.
On August 8, 1912, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Fern Hunter, one of Elmira's native daughters, and they have two children: Norman Hunter, who was born April 18, 1913; and Joyce Hunter, born February 15, 1924. The parents are members of the Lake Street Presbyterian church and in politics Mr. Smith is a republican. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner and belongs to the Kiwanis, Century and Country Clubs of Elmira.
MYRIC M. KELLY.
For thirty-eight years Myric M. Kelly has engaged in the practice of law in Sodus, his native town, and his professional attainments have placed him with the leading attorneys of Wayne county. He was born August 6, 1862, and is the oldest of the four sons of Edgar W. and Mary (Ellsworth) Kelly, natives of Wayne county. The Ellsworth family formerly lived in East Windsor, Connecticut, and
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removed to this county in 1801. The paternal grandfather was also one of the pioneer settlers of this part of the state, and his son, Edgar W. Kelly, was a promi- nent merchant of Sodus. His fellow townsmen honored him with public office and for thirty years he discharged the duties of justice of peace.
Myric M. Kelly received his elementary education in the Sodus Academy and began the study of law in the office of William Roe of Wolcott. He was admitted to the bar October 5, 1883, and began practice in partnership with Mr. Roe. Mr. Kelly returned to Sodus, April 1, 1885, and commenced to practice law in Sodus on February 1, 1886, and sometime thereafter formed a partnership with his brother, Herman L. Kelly, with whom he was associated until August 1, 1909. He has since been alone and his practice is mostly of a civil nature. He has a large clientele and is attorney for the First National Bank of Sodus, of which he is also a director. He has a thorough knowledge of statute and precedent, prepares his cases with thoroughness, precision and skill, and the ability with which he presents his cause has won for him many favorable verdicts.
Mr. Kelly was married in Sodus, on October 6, 1897, to Miss Gertrude Case, a daughter of Byron J. Case and a member of an old family of this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have two sons: Edgar E., who was a member of the student Army Training Corps at Dartmouth College during the World war and graduated in 1921, with the degree of A. B. and took a post graduate course in business administration, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Commercial Science in 1922. He is now con- nected with the Union Trust Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Byron C., who graduated from Phillips-Andover Academy at Andover, Massachusetts, in June, 1924, and is now a student at Dartmouth College, where he is taking a scientific course.
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